Guitarist Blake Aaron
utilized an unconventional approach when constructing his fifth album, “Soul
Stories,” which will be released May 5 by Innervision Records. To maintain his
presence on radio and in the marketplace while juggling a busy schedule as a
first-call session player, featured sideman and in-demand producer, he issued a
variety of singles with three cuts – the retro funk-disco energizer
“Groove-O-Matic,” the urbane romantic duet with jazz crooner Spencer Day
entitled “You’re the One for Me” and the salsa-singed “Encantadora” featuring
Najee on flute - entering the Billboard Top 10. The ten-track “Soul Stories,”
Aaron’s first collection that is entirely self-produced, contains eight
original tunes authored by the artist.
Saluting one of his hallmark influences, Aaron embodies
seminal jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery on the aptly-titled “Wes Side Story,” an
evocative selection that will be serviced to radio stations for playlist adds
beginning April 6.
Weaving engaging narratives told through a triad of guitar
voices, Aaron’s “Soul Stories” unfolds amidst a varied backdrop of contemporary
jazz, R&B, Latin and funk settings. He approaches his compositions as a
storyteller and elects to feature a different guitar – cool jazz electric,
gentle acoustic or emotional nylon string – as the protagonist of each musical
vignette. Often Aaron provides a counterpoint by waging an expressive discourse
using interpretive play between multiple guitars on the same song. Whether
emoting on brisk radio-friendly jaunts or taking his time to elaborate on
expansive improvised jams, Aaron’s inspired fret work is crisp, clear, lyrical
and skillfully performed with passion and precision.
“As with my live performances, I like to make all of my
records as if they are movies with all the emotional ups and downs, as if I am
taking the listener through a story or a musical landscape. On ‘Soul Stories,’
I wanted to try to tell compelling musical stories - some with words, but most
without. Many artists like to focus on one trademark sound, but I prefer using
different modes of expression because that’s really who I am. It keeps the
albums fresh and allows for more spontaneity onstage,” said Aaron who recently
previewed the album at a sold-out gig at Spaghettini south of Los Angeles.
“It’s the most expressive album I’ve ever made as an artist representing the
many different facets of the music I love and who I am creatively. There’s
literally every part of me on this CD – my heart, blood and sweat. It’s all on
this record.”
The musicians who helped Aaron illustrate “Soul Stories”
were vocalist Derek Bordeaux, keyboardists Tom Zink, Rob Mullins and Lew Laing;
bassists Hussain Jiffry and Melvin Davis; strings arranger and keyboardist Mike
Whittaker; strings arranger and label mate Craig Sharmat; percussionist Ronnie
Gutierrez, and drummers Ricky Lawson and Winston Butts.
Another creative outlet occupying Aaron’s time is his weekly
“Blake Aaron Live with Tina Anderson,” a nationally-syndicated radio show
airing in markets including California, New York, Florida, Arizona and on Urban
Soul Radio. Over the years, Aaron has hosted, interviewed and played with a
galaxy of the brightest stars in contemporary jazz, adult contemporary and pop
on the radio program. The Southern California-based recording artist debuted
with 2002’s “With Every Touch” that offers collaborations with David Benoit and
Eric Marienthal. Subsequent releases – “Bringin’ It Back,” “Desire” and “A
Romantic Christmas” – garnered airplay and chart action while frequent
appearances on the concert circuit enhanced his national profile. In other
media, Aaron held a 14-year-stint as the guitarist and theme song co-composer
for “MAD TV” along with more than a dozen films and television series the likes
of which include “The Ben Stiller Show,” “Super Dave Osborne” and “The Jamie
Kennedy Experiment.”
“Soul Stories” is comprised of the following songs:
“Groove-O-Matic”
“Wes Side Story”
“Sol Amor”
“Europa”
“You’re the One for Me”
“Story of the Blues”
“Sara Smile”
“Story of My Life”
“You’re My Miracle”
“Encantadora”
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